I’m not a big fan of uninvited guests, so I’m a little dismayed that in about 48 hours, Helene is threatening to show up and huff and puff and blow our house down.
As if my writing process hasn’t been disrupted enough these last few months.
I ask you, what’s a tired writer to do?
This is likely to be the strongest storm we’ve experienced since moving to this particular house, so we don’t quite know what to expect. We’ve gotten off easy a couple of times now, losing power and internet but without any real damage. This time is likely to be different.
So how’s a writer to focus on her creative projects with this all happening? If you have an answer for that, I’d love to hear it. It seems as if, for the past six months or so, every time I feel like I’m finally getting some momentum, something happens to knock me on my not-inconsiderably sized butt. Storms. . . son’s cancer. . . more storms. . .
I hope to be back next week with my regularly scheduled newsletter, but it will depend on the storm and its aftermath. Last time we lost internet for two weeks, which certainly put a crimp in my style.
See you on the other side!
What I’m Reading
The Shithead by Tim Grahl
This is not my usual read, but I have a lot of respect for Tim Grahl. So when he asked for volunteers to read and provide an honest review of The Shithead, I raised my hand, even though the title really puts me off.
Eric has a beautiful family, and a marketing business that does okay but shouldn’t be such a struggle all the time. They’ve got a nice house, expensive cars, and all the trappings of a successful suburban life in the US.
Except that he’s sinking fast in quicksand of his own making.
Whenever a problem comes up, in his personal life or in his business, he assures everyone around him, “I can fix it.”
Until he can’t. How does he fix the unfixable, without selling his soul?
Time Tourist Outfitters, LTD by CN Jackson
This title caught my attention. Time tourist?? Hmmm.
In the year 2035, North America is a bit different from what it is now. After the war in the US, the southern states banded together to form their own dysfunctional country, and most of the northern US got absorbed into the new, United States of Canada.
But that’s just a minor aside.
Wilda Firestone runs a costume shop in Toronto. But not the kind of shop where you’d go to pick up something for Hallowe’en or a masked ball, not at all. She provides authentic garb for time tourists. Want to go to some obscure African country that existed in 977 AD? She’s got your threads (or skins).
Of course, there are some strict rules regarding time travel. You can’t mess with the timeline, so you’re not allowed to take any modern items, flora, or fauna, into the past, and you’re certainly not allowed to bring any into the modern time when you return!
Wilda used to be a Travel Agent, but she hasn’t Traveled for about 30 years. Until travelers start returning with an unknown, fatal disease. Then she and her assistant are drafted to go back in time three times, to visit a Native American tribe in Maine, the isle of Orkney, and ancient Mali.
Can she solve the mystery? Of course she can, aided by her delightfully sarcastic and able assistant, and her overdeveloped olfactory senses.
I’m looking forward to reading more in this series, and hoping there’s a more competent line editor involved in the later books.
Notable Quotes
Once the room had cleared of occupants, I switched on the little metal fan and opened the back door, wafting away the lingering perfumes. My headache eased as soon as I breathed in the fresh smog of Toronto.
- Time Tourist Outfitters, LTD by CN Jackson
The fresh smog of Toronto - LOL! Here’s another quote from the same book.
Each Agent dorm comprised a single bed, a wafer-thin mattress, and a single thin blanket, with a small nightstand of dubious sturdiness, sporting a small lamp. . . The dorms had all the charm of a prison room with none of the fascinating roommates.
- Time Tourist Outfitters, LTD by CN Jackson
As you’ve heard me say before, and will likely hear again, I love it when an author can say so much in so little, as above where Jackson describes the room with delightful economy of language. No words wasted on things like, “it was small, with no decorations on the walls,” and such like. Nope. Just “all the charm of a prison room.” The additional information that the room also includes “none of the fascinating roommates” you’d find in a prison sends the message even more clearly.
Buy Me a Chai
Some of the links I include in this email may be affiliate links. What does that mean? It means you pay the same — or in some cases a little less — if you click and purchase, and I get a small commission. It’s not a lot, but it helps me buy a few chai lattes here and there. . . Or, if you like what you're reading, you can Buy Me a Chai right now. Thanks! (If you really like what you’re reading, you can upgrade to a paid subscription and buy me a chai every month!)
Wise Words
Last time I gave you a complicated punctuation problem to solve, but this week we’re back to word choices. As always, indicate the better word choice for the sentence below. Your words are hoard and horde.
The yellow walls pulsed as I placed my _____ on the bed and walked back down the hall toward Pembley’s office.
- Time Tourist Outfitters, LTD by CN Jackson
We’ll post the answer next week, or whenever that mean girl Helena lets us return to our regularly scheduled programming.
Here's hoping Helene gives you a miss... or at least turns put to be a considerate guest. Good luck!